Two men could face the death penalty if found guilty in last year's double homicide in Springfield Township. Sam Williams and Cameo Pettaway are both charged with murder in the deaths of Lisa Straub and Johnny Clark.
The couple was found dead in a Springfield Township home in January of last year. About nine months after that, police charged Williams. About a month after that, they also charge Pettaway.
On Monday, Pettaway, who faces an aggravated murder charge, faced a judge for a competency hearing. Two psychologists took the stand to determine whether he was competent to stand trial.
The defense psychologist, who didn't want to appear or speak on camera, suggested that Pettaway was not competent to stand trial. His report found possible signs of an intellectual disability and mental retardation.
The prosecution's psychologist came up with some different findings. Dr. Charlene Cassel says she performed two different exams and found Pettaway may have been exaggerating his answers.
Prosecution: What would your ultimate conclusion regarding the issues of the defendant?
Cassel: That he was not mentally retarded. That his IQ was over 70.
Prosecution: And did you also reach a conclusion about the basis of his problems or difficulties in life at this point? Was it mental retardation?
Doctor: I would say it was a character disorder.
The judge will make a final decision on Pettaway's ability to stand trial Tuesday afternoon.
The trials for both Williams and Pettaway are set to begin this week. If convicted, both men face the death penalty.
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